Turn out the lights, the (tea) party is over

7:12 PM,
Sep. 19, 2013

Richard Thompson

Written by

Richard
THOMP-

Tuesday, Sept. 10, was to be a red letter day for the tea party movement. It was, but not in the way tea party leaders intended.

The tea party is a loosely organized group of political obstructionists who fancy themselves akin to Revolutionary War patriots. The party's three guiding principles are easy for all Americans to believe in - fiscal responsibility, constitutionally limited government and free markets.

However, the party uses militant methods to promote extreme interpretations of these doctrines. This approach appeals only to tea party members and other ultraconservatives. ...